There are rules for marketing fruits and vegetables set out in the legislation detailed below. These include:

• General marketing rules - must be complied with if no specific marketing rules exist
• Specific marketing rules for certain fruits and vegetables
• Exemptions from the rules
• Labelling and information to display

EU legislation

The legislation covering the common organisation of the markets in agricultural products sets out the basic rules for the marketing of fruits and vegetables.

• Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 (this is the latest consolidated version as at 7 December 2021)

More detailed rules are then set out in the following legislation:

• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011 (OJ L 157, 15.06.2011, p. 1-163) of 7 June 2011 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 in respect of the fruit and vegetables and processed fruit and vegetables sectors

View the latest consolidated version of Regulation (EU) No. 543/2011 (as at 15 November 2021)

National legislation 

European Communities (Marketing Standards)(Crops and Oils) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 378 of 2011)

Potatoes 

Currently, there are no European Union marketing standards for potatoes. However, in Ireland, standards have been set for potatoes under the Food Standards Act, 1974.

• Food Standards Act, 1974 (No. 11 of 1974)

This is an enabling Act which allows several Ministers to make regulations governing food standards for foods.

Food Standards Regulations based on this Act have been set for potatoes

• Food Standards (Potatoes) Regulations 1977 (S.I. No. 367 of 1977)
• Food Standards (Potatoes)(Amendment) Regulations 1996 (S.I. No. 4 of 1996)
• Food Standards (Potatoes) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 406 of 2003)